IDDEAS Programs & Initiatives

Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) is the first place to go to determine whether you or your child may have an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) or developmental delay qualifying you for IDDEAS-funded services. Once you are determined eligible, RMHS can help you receive a wide range of supports. 

When voters approved a tax fund dedicated to services for people with I/DD, the process used to collect those tax funds was established as a “mill levy.” For this reason, the IDDEAS-funded services provided by RMHS are referred to as the Mill Levy program.

RMHS’ Mill Levy program empowers people with the resources they need to reach their full potential. Services are provided in the following areas:

Mill Levy Support Plan

Mill Levy Support Plans provide services that fill gaps in individuals’ Medicaid and state-funded service plan to provide wrap-around supports. Support plans are also available to people who: 1) are not eligible for waiver or state services, or 2) are on the waitlist for waiver or state services. Learn more about RMHS' Mill Levy Support Plans.

Individual Requests

Residents and their families can request goods, items or services to meet their individual needs. Examples include respite for caregivers (support enabling caregivers to rest or take time to themselves), adaptive equipment, clothing, rental assistance, recreational activities, art and music classes, massage therapy and more. Visit RMHS' website to make an individual request or learn more.

Community Initiatives

RMHS sub-contracts with community agencies to support unique and innovative programs that benefit Denver’s eligible residents. Priority funding areas are identified in collaboration with a community Advisory Council comprised of individuals with lived experience with I/DD. Funded programs vary from year to year and have included activities such as adventure camps, technology education and inclusive early childhood education, among many others. Visit RMHS' website to learn more about community initiatives.

Early Intervention

RMHS’ Mill Levy program helps to ensure that Denver’s young families have access to high quality professional early intervention (EI) services which exceed limits set by other funding sources, while providing tailored access to client and family-directed funds. Additionally, IDDEAS funds are used to provide support services for those who do not qualify for the state’s current EI program and to provide gap services to infants discharged home from the NICU until state-funded EI services begin. 

Additionally, RMHS utilizes Mill Levy dollars to dedicate resources and staff to:

• Connect people experiencing homelessness with I/DD services and supports
• Support people in various forms of crisis
• Bridge transitions from community to school supports

Learn more in RMHS’ Annual Mill Levy Report

Visit RMHS' website to establish eligibility and begin receiving services, or call 1-844-790-7647.  

The Denver START program provides community-based care for people with I/DD who are experiencing or at risk for mental health crises. The Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment (START) model provides person-centered crisis prevention and intervention and helps communities to better include people with disabilities and mental health diagnoses during health care and treatment.  

Through Rocky Mountain Human Services, the START team provides rapid response, ongoing support and service coordination, as well as training and consultation with community responders such as mobile mental health crisis teams and mental health providers. START brings a holistic, positive psychology approach to ensuring people with I/DD who also experience mental health concerns are well cared for and can access services in an inclusive and competent community.

Learn more about START on RMHS' website, or call 303-636-5600 and select number eight. You can also email start@rmhumanservices.org.

The I/DD Housing Navigator Program at ServiceSource consists of dedicated housing navigators and a mental health counselor who are trained experts in helping Denver residents with I/DD reach their unique housing stability goals. Called BE HOME, the program centers the work within four focus areas designed to offer services connected to various housing experiences, including:  

• Addressing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity: Housing navigators connect people with I/DD and their caregivers to housing resources and help with basic needs such as food, clothing and public benefits applications.
• Navigating Housing Voucher Programs: Housing navigators help people find and keep stable housing by assisting with voucher applications, waitlist and lottery enrollment and voucher processes.
• Managing Urgent Needs: Housing navigators connect clients to resources and supports during urgent needs such as potential eviction or a mental health event.
• Long-term Planning/Homeownership: Housing navigators work with clients to develop a long-term housing plan, connecting them to resources and opportunities to support long-term goals such as buying a house.

Visit the ServiceSource website to learn more, and to get support with your housing goals.

The Sensory Friendly Denver program promotes community inclusion for people in Denver with I/DD who may have sensory processing needs that make it difficult for them to enjoy certain public spaces. Developed and provided by the Autism Community Store, this program offers educational materials and trainings that help organizations address diverse sensory processing needs. You may see Sensory Friendly Denver materials at the Denver Art Museum, Wings Over the Rockies and The Molly Brown House.  

Visit the Autism Community Store website to learn more.

The IDDEAS Program supports the Denver Public Library (DPL) Digital Navigator program by funding one Digital Navigator staff member with experience helping people with I/DD to expand their use of technology. We also fund training for all DPL Digital Navigators to develop skills for working with people with I/DD. The IDDEAS Program addresses digital equity gaps and enhances community inclusion by helping people with I/DD access technology and online resources.

To learn more, contact DPL by visiting their website.

VOICES 2025 Mini Grants

Vital Opportunities for Inclusion, Choice, Empowerment, and Self-Advocacy

VOICES seeks to strengthen the fabric of inclusivity, intersectionality, diversity, and acceptance in Denver by elevating the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or developmental delays and creating new opportunities for them to engage in, and contribute to, their Denver communities.

Mini grants of up to $50,000 were awarded to the following organizations to enhance the quality of life of Denver residents with I/DD through recognition and support of their intersectional identities, outreach to underrepresented communities, increased inclusion in community life around Denver, and promotion of self-advocacy.

Sub-Grantees

Atlantis Community, Inc.

Youth Transitions Creative Connections

Atlantis is providing after-school sessions for students in the Denver I/DD community to help them connect with their peers and receive guidance from experts in the community on life skills. The project aims to assist youth with I/DD in developing skills for informed decision making, creating support networks, and building life autonomy.

Autism Community Store

Providing Sensory Refuges at Denver Community Events

Autism Community Store is making Denver more inclusive for autistic and neurodivergent individuals with I/DD by bringing their Sensory Bus or Sensory Tent to a variety of Denver community events reflecting the diversity of Denver’s communities and cultures.

Disability Law Colorado

Inclusive Pathways: Resources for Denver's I/DD Community

Disability Law Colorado is providing meaningful support and outreach to I/DD Denver residents and families by developing more accessible digital resource materials and increased collaboration with community partners.

Denver Health & Hospital Authority

Expanding Access and Empowerment for Adults with I/DD Through a Multidisciplinary Community Health Model

Denver Health's project is working to ensure equitable access to healthcare services, foster community connections, and provide continuity of care to new residents of Denver with I/DD.

Developmental FX

Deepening Understanding, Engagement, and Support for Children and Teens with I/DDs

Developmental FX is enhancing its wraparound services to promote expanded understanding of children’s unique needs by their caregivers, increased harmony within homes and schools, an improved sense of inclusion for the family in the community, and creation of a web of support across their ecosystem that will benefit all children with additional needs.

Guided by Humanity

All Abilities @ Denver Fashion Week

Guided by Humanity presented a fashion show at Denver Fashion Week Spring 2025 featuring models represented by individuals living in Denver with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), bringing their unique stories and personalities to the runway.

Hampden Farms

Project Denver Brick Club: Building Connections Through Play

Hampden Farms is offering life skills programs for Denver residents ages 13-17 on the autism spectrum and/or with I/DD. This program focuses on developing practical skills, building confidence, and preparation for greater independence and community engagement.

REVEL

Building an Inclusive Denver: Empowering People with I/DD Through Music

Denver residents can access Revel's Empower Through Music project, part of their Gear Up Daily Enrichment Program offering individuals with I/DD the opportunity to explore creativity and emotional expression through original songwriting and music creation.

DIRT Coffee Bar

Inclusive Employment Program

DIRT Coffee Bar is creating meaningful and equitable employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This program aims to employ and support job seekers ages 16-65 in the I/DD community of Denver to lower I/DD unemployment rates and empower individuals to reach economic independence.

The Wayfaring Band

Crossroads

Through project Crossroads, The Wayfaring Band is hosting a series of events designed to foster inclusion for individuals with I/DD while exploring the powerful intersections of race, gender, and other marginalized identities, and enhancing mutual aid among social justice initiatives.